Thomas geeen



(No Model.)

T. GREEN.

SHANK 'STIFFENER FOR BOOTS 0R $11033. Nq; 893,468. Patented Nov. 2'7, 1888.

N. Firms. Phnlo-lilb'ognpinn Wnhlnlkm. n.c.

. UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

THOMAS GREEN, OF NEWARK, NE\V JERSEY.

SHANK-STIFFENER FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,468, dated November 27, 1888.

Application filed September 14, 1888. Serial No. 285,404. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS GREEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New J ersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shank-Stifi'eners for Boots or Shoes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to furnish a shank-stiffener for boots or shoes that will be of greater strength and durability than those heretofore made, and also of greater ease and comfort to the wearer; and the invention consists in the improved shank-stiffener herein. described, and in the combinations and arrangements of parts in connection therewith, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth, and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the several figures, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a shoe, with the sole shown in central longitudinal section, illustrating my improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the inner sole from the under side, showing my improved shank in position. Fig. 3 is a section through line 00, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blank of my improved shank-holder as cut by a suitable die, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of the shank.

In said drawings, a represents a shoe, b the upper and 0 the inner sole, (2 the outer sole, and e a steel shank made of a thin strip of steel and secured to the inner sole at one end when driven through the inner sole the points of the projections are bent down and clinched or riveted to the sole, thus firmly securing the holder to the inner sole. This holder is made of such a size that the space between any two of the projections when turned up shall allow the free passage of one end of the steel shank and prevent at the same time lateral movement'or displacement of the same.

In applying my improved shank and holder to the sole the steel shank is first secured at one end by a rivet to the heel portion of the inner sole, and at the opposite end the holder is then secured to the central portion of the inner sole by the insertion and clinching of the pointed projections, as above described, and at such distance from the secured end of the steel shank that when the sole of the shoe is bent or curved as much as desired in walking the end of the shank will strike against the forward projection and prevent the shank from further longitudinal. movement in that direction. The other two projections will serve as stops or guides and prevent any lateral motion of the shank, but at the same time permitting free longitudinal movement within the limits above described. The slight outward curve on the free end of the shank prevents that end from cutting through the inner sole, while the body of the holder serves as a shield to prevent its cutting through the outer sole. \Vith this construction and arrangement of a spring-shank more freedom of movement of the shank and greater elasticity to the sole of the shoe are obtained, as well as a better and more comfortable support to the foot of the wearer.

I do not intend to limit myself to a holder made of a single sheet of metal, as a holder can be made double or of two sheets, with an opening between them, in which the shankstiffener can slide.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is In a boot or shoe, the combination of a triangular-shaped keeper having a sprig at each corner bent at right angles to the body of the keeper and adapted to serve as fasteners and guides and stop for the shankspring, said keeper being applied to the cenhereunto set my hand this 11th day of Septral portion of the sole, and a shank-spring teinber, 1888.

secured at one end at the heel and the other THOMAS GREEN. free end working between the sole and keeper, Witnesses:

as described and shown, and for the purposes OLIVER DRAKE,

set forth. E. L. SHUMAN.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have 

